Best of 2021 Part 6 (the finale): Paranormal Romance
I love a good year in review. There’s something so satisfying of seeing it all laid out there, to be able to reflect on the journey, and hopefully to help others find a couple great reads. Like I’ve mentioned I’m approaching 400 titles read this year, which is pretty wild if you ask me, and totally fine if you’re speaking to my therapist.
I’m still reading (🙄obviously) at the time of writing this blog, so we might have a couple late editions, who knows. Below I’m going to call out my fave reads of the year, concluding with the paranormal romance sub-genre and will do my best to sell-em’ to y’all.
(Disclaimer: this is *my * best of 2021 reads, not books that were published in 2021!)
I loved the twilight books. There I said it. Maybe I just love the idea that someone out there would just love the absolute sh*t out of you on a molecular level and see no on else but you. Huh, adds note to bring this up in therapy next week.
Paranormal romances, were yet another revelation to discover this year. I dug my teeth, heart, eyes and mind into so many fantastic books and series. We have a little something for everyone (I hope). Vampires (funny). Ice Planet Barbarians, Vampires (very serious), incarcerated Aliens, werewolves (Scottish), and you guessed it werewolves (again, Scottish).
Not Another Vampire Book by Cassandra Gannon (Free on KU)
This freaking book absolutely slayed me, and cemented Cassandra Gannon as one of my favorite author finds of 2021. This is the story of how book editor Kara gets literally sucked into the “stupidest supernatural book ever written”. Let me tell you, this is one of the most hilarious reads of the year, and one of the most memorable.
It takes all the of the Vampire tropes, and satirizes the f*ck out of them. You’ll be rolling your eyes (conspiratorially) right along with Kara, rooting for Damien and wanting to throttle, then kinda smother Slade. Don’t be like me (a confirmed idiot) and let the cover put you off. It is funny, heartfelt, and a great take on the traditional Vampire story.
Barbarians Prize by Ruby Dixon (Free on KU)
Y’all these big blue himbo’s took over the internet this year, and I am SO flipping glad they did. And you think I am joking, I am not. They got so popular (book 1 currently has 40 thousand ratings) this year that at one point, Ruby’s IPB were on the main Science Fiction best seller list next to the likes of Andy Weir. I wanted to dislike these, but try as I might, I could not even for 1% of me stop blasting through books 1-8 in like 3 days. I swear they are laced with some sort of highly addictive substance. They are great, great reads.
This is book 6 of the series, and is the story of Tiffany and Salukh. Tiffany has had an extremely rough go of it since landing on the Ice Planet. She was one of the few women on the original ship that was sexually assaulted by the smugglers. Although she is happy, in the clan and has found purpose, she’s wary of male attention and isn’t thrilled about potentially having to find (or be claimed by) a mate. Salukh, is such a sweetheart. He, of course is totally smitten with our gal Tiff, but senses her deep worry and fear of other men. Taking a slower-than-others approach he sets out to be her friend first, hoping of course they will resonate. The love, and patience here is really something, and will make lots of chilly hearts melt.
Choosing Theo by Victoria Aveline (Free on KU)
This came recommended through the algorithm accountants over on the clock app. Choosing Theo is set on a planet with a dying population. One that has come up with a way to ensure children are born and the women are taken care of. Again we have isolated earth women help captive, but escaping. Theo, is a grumpy, “ugly” warrior and mercenary that is used to being overlooked in the husband auctions. Oh, sorry did you say husband auctions? This planet let’s women choose their husband for 3 months at a time, to reproduce and be pampered. The males on this planet even go to “husband” school. Consisting of cooking, cleaning, and “attending” to their wives. Of which Theo scored high on, if you catch my drift.
Jade (our captured but adjusting heroine), being immediately attracted to him, is SHOCKED to hear that he is often and most-likely unchosen. Loving his “scars” and his home. There are a few really funny moments, and ultimately a delightful journey into the Celcanian culture and world.
Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward
This is a perennially suggested series over on r/romancebooks. And boy am I glad I picked these up. J.R. Ward has created a brilliant, deep, magical world for the Black Dagger Brotherhood, that mixes lore with everything you can love about vampires. This is book 2 of the series and features Rhage and Mary. Rhage is one of the scariest and uncontrolled BD brothers. Having a literal monster become unleashed when he is fighting. And then there is Mary. Sweet, kind-hearted, recovering from Leukaemia Mary.
The love between Mary and Rhage, including her love of his monster is so tender (and hot). Some parts of this book, really tore up my heart. Especially seeing how wrecked Rhage was to have to feed from another. Prepare yourself for some tears, but fear not, the HEA is deserved and well fought for.
Transcendence by Shay Savage
Okay, had no idea where to put this one. Is it a fantasy novel? Maybe? A historical, well yes kind of. Paranormal (without spoiling) I think so. Regardless, Transcendence is one of the best books I’ve read this year. Full stop.
It is about an isolated hunter-gatherer Ehd, who finds a woman in a animal trap. A woman that does not look, sound, or feel like other woman in the tribe he used to live with. Elizabeth, or as we come to call her Beh, has just been dropped on her ass in the middle of prehistoric nowhere. Cue freak-out.
Ehd and Beh will snatch your heart directly from your chest and refuse to give it back. Told singularly from Ehd’s POV there are some hilarious moments while he is trying (and sometimes failing) to understand what Beh, could want or need. This is a sweeping love story that truly follows the course of their lives. The epilogue, really ties this whole story together so impeccably that it will sit with you for a long while after you finish.
Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
This is a perennially suggested series over on r/romancebooks. And boy am I glad I picked these up. J.R. Ward has created a brilliant, deep, magical world for the Black Dagger Brotherhood, that mixes lore with everything you can love about vampires. This is book 3 of the series, and features intensely scary lunatic Zsadist and Vampire beauty, Bella.
Bella is instantly drawn to the aloof, and menacing Zsadist. Should be simple right? No. Our guy Z is so absolutely tortured. He has one of the most tragic and heartbreaking backstories I’ve read this year. After been freed from terror and abuse as a blood-slave, he has spent the rest of his days inflicting otherworldly pain on others, all while finding himself and his wants disgusting.
Oof. This one is dark. You’ll find yourself battling, warm squishy feelings for Bella and Z, while also wanting to scream “GET YOUR ASS INTO THERAPY DUDE!!!”. We love a triumphant personal growth moment and boy does our guy Zsadist, get that.
Homebound by Lydia Hope (Free on KU)
This had a few weeks of recurring recommendations on Reddit, that bumped it up my TBR pile and I am so glad I did. This is a dystopian meets paranormal romance novel that I did not expect to hit me in the feels the way it did.
Set in the slums of an Earth type planet, and the local prison, Gemma is forced to do back-breaking labor in the form of inmate care and prison janitorial duties. After being transferred to the high-security wing with the most violent and “abhorrent” offenders she finds herself drawn to one particular inmate: Simon.
Simon, is essentially in stasis, slowly (but surely) wasting away to nothing. Gemma does everything in her power to nurse Simon back to health, including risking her live and livelihood to do it.
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
Immortals After Dark is some God Tier series sh*t for me. Kresley Cole is a queen, and deserves all the best things in the world. This is book 1 of a 18 book series that is equal parts, funny, erotic, heart wrenching, and brilliant. The world building is so fantastic and her characters are uniquely wild, weird and wonderful.
This book is between Lachlain MacRieve (leader of the Lykae clan) and half Vampire half Valkyrie Emmaline Troy. Lachlain, is currently being help captive enduring centuries of torture by a Vampire King (sworn enemies of the Lykae). He is bleeding, and keeps being brought back to life only to endure unfathomable pain and torture. Scenting Emma (his mate) he literally gnaws his own leg off to break free and find her. And like, ladies if your man isn’t gnawing his own leg off to find you, is he really worth it?
Emma is so sweet and sheltered, and (canonically) young that when moments from death Lachlain finds her, she (naturally) freaks right out. This book sets up so many amazing ongoing plots, and characters arcs, but the love and romance is just as central to the lore and world building. If you’re like me, you will just come to love these wild Lykae and their singular quest to find (and treasure) their mates.
Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night by Kresely Cole
Immortals After Dark is some God Tier series sh*t for me. Kresley Cole is a queen, and deserves all the best things in the world. This is book 3 of a 18 book series that is equal parts, funny, erotic, heart wrenching, and brilliant. This picks up right after the events of book 2 and finds us with Bowen MacRieve Lykae prince that has been on a singular mission to find a way to resurrect his slain mate. But when he has to cross paths with a ‘wee witch’ Mariketa the Awaited, everything he thinks he’s sure of gets completely turned upside down.
Bowen is one of my favourite IAD hero’s. He is flawed, absolutely. But he’s also loyal, brave, protective and sexy as hell. Seeing both him and Mariketa struggle with their attraction, including her struggle with Bowen’s resentment and ultimately his undying love was really something else. And who wouldn’t want a Lykae familiar? No really, show me who, I will fight them.
Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole
Immortals After Dark is some God Tier series sh*t for me. Kresley Cole is a queen, and deserves all the best things in the world. This is book 10 of a 18 book series that is equal parts, funny, erotic, heart wrenching, and brilliant. Oh Reign. By now, series stand-out smart ass and general tough girl Rein the Radiant is due for her happily ever after. But my word, how she goes about getting it shredded my soft lil romantic heart.
Without spoiling the ever-loving f*ck out of this one: it does feature an Aiden (predictable for me yes), but also reincarnation. Freya and Odin lore, including more background on the Valkyries and Beserkers, and one man’s never ending quest to keep coming back to be with the love of his life. Y’all, I cried so much reading this book. It was so much. So much depth. Love. Pain and more pain™. The love Rein has for Aiden, how many times she had to live through losing him and then having to come to terms with Declan, is just, whew. Get ready to have your heart smashed to absolute bits with this one, but fear not, Kresley gives them (and us) a really perfect happily ever after.